Electrical advice please. Thank you.

[Violetta]

Hello,

I would like electrical advice please. I recently started a new cleaning job. I have been asked to use a Shark Steamer. The floor I am cleaning is huge. Unfortunately the steam is not sufficient enough to clean the big space. The owner has asked me to chuck water on the floor to help the steamer to get rid of the dirt. This works beautifully, BUT the electrical cable that is attached to the steamer gets quite wet from the water on the floor. I have always been told that electricity and water don’t mix, and I feel worried that this could be dangerous. I don’t want to be electrocuted! I appreciate your help with this. Thank you in advance.

 

[littlespark]

A steam cleaner in itself mixes electricity with water, so small puddles and moisture are expected…. But not great pools.

I don’t know if you can get a battery powered steam cleaner…. But you might need several battery’s to swap out if it’s a really big area.


If you continue using a cleaner with a cable laying in water…. Make it as safe as possible.
Have your machines tested (PAT) and get yourself an RCD plug in adaptor… and make sure you test it via the button before use each time.
The property may itself have rcd protection for the socket you are plugged into, but you would need to trust that it works as it should.

 

[westward10]

Are you using an extension lead with it?

 

[Violetta]

A steam cleaner in itself mixes electricity with water, so small puddles and moisture are expected…. But not great pools.

I don’t know if you can get a battery powered steam cleaner…. But you might need several battery’s to swap out if it’s a really big area.


If you continue using a cleaner with a cable laying in water…. Make it as safe as possible.
Have your machines tested (PAT) and get yourself an RCD plug in adaptor… and make sure you test it via the button before use each time.
The property may itself have rcd protection for the socket you are plugged into, but you would need to trust that it works as it should.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. I might have to speak to the owners, as I don’t feel comfortable.

 

[Violetta]

A steam cleaner in itself mixes electricity with water, so small puddles and moisture are expected…. But not great pools.

I don’t know if you can get a battery powered steam cleaner…. But you might need several battery’s to swap out if it’s a really big area.


If you continue using a cleaner with a cable laying in water…. Make it as safe as possible.
Have your machines tested (PAT) and get yourself an RCD plug in adaptor… and make sure you test it via the button before use each time.
The property may itself have rcd protection for the socket you are plugged into, but you would need to trust that it works as it should.

Hi Little Spark, Thank you for your help. I have spoken to the lady I clean for. She doesn’t seem worried, she said it would only cause a problem if the cable was frayed and water would get onto the cable. I have no idea if this is true! She also explained to me that they have an ‘electric shock’ system. But like you say I need to trust that it works like it should be. Frankly I am still feeling worried. Obviously throwing tons of water on the floor is not how the steamer should be used! I am thinking of buying a RCD plug, I hadn’t heard of them until you mentioned them. Just to clarify I would need to test the steamer before each use? How long would this test roughly take? It’s something I will have to mention to the lady I work for. Thank you so much for being so helpful.

 

[Violetta]

Are you using an extension lead with it?

 

[littlespark]

One of these….

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/masterplug-13a-fused-plug-through-active-rcd-adaptor/63731

Press the “test” button before each use…. It simulates a fault and will trip off the power to the appliance. Pressing reset will, obviously, turn power back on.

It doesn’t actually test the appliance in any way, but simply turns off if it detects a fault.

 

[Violetta]

Are you using an extension lead with it?

My apologies I have only just seen your message, I didn’t get an email notification. I am not using an extension lead. Would this help with my situation? I appreciate your help. Thanks!

One of these….

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/masterplug-13a-fused-plug-through-active-rcd-adaptor/63731

Press the “test” button before each use…. It simulates a fault and will trip off the power to the appliance. Pressing reset will, obviously, turn power back on.

It doesn’t actually test the appliance in any way, but simply turns off if it detects a fault.

Thank you! Coincidentally I have a Screwfix very close to me, I will go there tomorrow. I wrongly assumed that it would test the steamer, so where would the fault be that the RCD plug would detect? Sorry complete novice here. I appreciate all your help.

 

[littlespark]

To test the steamer itself, you would need the services of someone that can do portable appliance testing with the correct machine for doing so.... Its much like a car's MOT.... it could break down the day after being tested.

If you are doing any sort of work as either an employee or self employed, then this govt web site is very informative.

PAT (Portable appliance testing) - HSE's answers to popular questions

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) answers; frequency of tests, legal requirements, record keeping, new equipment, who can test, hire tools

www.hse.gov.uk

What the RCD adaptor does, and maybe an RCD in the board as well, is trip off when there's a fault... not only protecting the user from electric shock, but also letting the user know something isn't quite right somewhere.

 

[Violetta]

To test the steamer itself, you would need the services of someone that can do portable appliance testing with the correct machine for doing so.... Its much like a car's MOT.... it could break down the day after being tested.

If you are doing any sort of work as either an employee or self employed, then this govt web site is very informative.

PAT (Portable appliance testing) - HSE's answers to popular questions

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) answers; frequency of tests, legal requirements, record keeping, new equipment, who can test, hire tools

www.hse.gov.uk

What the RCD adaptor does, and maybe an RCD in the board as well, is trip off when there's a fault... not only protecting the user from electric shock, but also letting the user know something isn't quite right somewhere.

Thank you for all your help, I will have a look at the website. I am in favour of buying the RCD plug, but I am worried about saying that to my employer. They are going to think that I am completely over the top which I guess I am. But I obviously want to stay safe! Out of interest if the steamer’s cable gets wet on a frequent basis, and the steamer develops a fault, what is the worst that could happen to me without any preventative measures like the RCD plug? What is a RCD in the board? Thank you!